Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a deep personal and emotional experience. In this retreat you will learn how to allow forgiveness in your lives. We will support you in becoming aware of obstacles that may prevent you from letting go. When you withhold forgiveness, you give away control of our health and well-being. Through forgiveness you can elect to have happy life.

We must have heard it a thousand times…”let it go.” But no one has shown us HOW? We have been holding on to many things…from a tiny grudge to absolute hatred or disappointment. But if we don’t let go of these feelings and emotions – we contaminate our own lives.

Even though Forgiveness is humane it’s difficult to cultivate it. Experience the power of Forgiveness in your life. Feel the power of being able to “let go”…to be “unstuck” – and give way to compassion, gentleness, tenderness and caring that is always within our hearts.

From the perspective of love – forgiveness is the willingness to let go of the hurtful past and let love in once again. In a more spiritual sense- It is the decision to no longer suffer.

The trap of these negative emotions consumes a lot of our energy. We dwell in self pity or revenge fantasies. But practising and cultivating forgiveness takes us into a new world of unconditional love.

Through forgiveness our hearts open once again. As we are released from fear, anger and pain, we are able to experience oneness with one another and our spiritual source. The choice to forgive is an act of letting go the desire to hurt others; and the willingness to open our eyes to the light in other people.

Experience for yourself how, even in the life’s toughest challenges, forgiveness provides a profound spiritual pathway to inner peace, freedom, connection, and love. Through forgiveness we can elect to have happy lives.

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Retreat Schedule

Forgiveness Level 1

This 2 day retreat begin at 8 am on the day 1 and end at 5 pm next day. With philosophy and practice sessions through out the day, there are breaks for 3 meals and one hour discussion.

What comes next, Advice for further study/practice
and Feedback session.

5:00

Check-out

(Please note: all phenomena are impermanent – the exact schedule may vary slightly from course to course)

Forgiveness Level 2

This 5 day retreat begin at 1 pm on the day 1 and end at 2 pm on day 5. The days in between begin with a wakeup bell at 6 am and the last session of the day ends around 9 pm. With theory and practice sessions throughout the day, there are breaks for 3 meals and one hour discussion.

(Please note: all phenomena are impermanent – the exact schedule may vary slightly from course to course)

Adjusting to the Retreat

Forgiveness is a deep personal and emotional experience. It is a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. Forgiveness is intertwined with many emotions like grief, rage, sadness, hurt, betrayal and vulnerability. Anger and fear are part of the experience.Preparing yourself and committing to stick to the discipline of the retreat can be transformatory and easy step towards forgiveness.

Body and mind are not used to these very different circumstances and may react with discomfort, restlessness, boredom, doubt, criticism, fatigue or sudden, unfounded concerns. Therefore, we have to adjust ourselves to the retreat settings.

Acknowledge your own inner pain and protect yourself from further victimization.

Express those emotions in non-hurtful ways without yelling or attacking.

Silence is kept throughout the retreat, however during teaching sessions questions are welcomed and there will be a one hour discussion group on most days.

We may experience a lot of ups and downs during the retreat. Therefore, please be gentle in your behaviour and sensitive to fellow retreat participants and staff.

We have to keep an open mind. Many of the ideas presented may be new and different from one’s own beliefs, and we should be prepared to analyse and contemplate not only the teachings, but also our own beliefs.

We have to adjust to the schedule: all participants must attend all sessions of the retreat, come to sessions on time and not leave during the retreat.

Do not point your feet towards the teachers, the altar or any holy object.

Do not put prayer books, texts, or notebooks with on the floor, or sit or step over them.

No idle chit-chat in the lecture hall.

Respect all life: do not intentionally kill any living being, even small insects.

Respect others’ property: do not steal or take anything not freely given.

Be honest and straightforward: do not lie or intentionally deceive others. This is easy when observing silence!

Be celibate: no sexual activity. This also includes no holding hands, hugging, massages and other physical displays of affection.

Be alert and mindful: avoid intoxicants such as alcohol, drugs and cigarettes (we encourage you to stop smoking while here).

Be considerate of others’ silence: keep silence in the appropriate areas and at all times during residential retreats, especially in the lecture hall and the residential complex. No singing or playing music and in general, maintain a quiet demeanor while on the property.